A personal, alternative interpretation of the Northern Ireland Brexit 'Backstop'

I left Ulster in 1989 to move to the academic politics of Liverpool University and then on to Macquarie University and finally to the wondrous world of NSW Bluffocracy. I knew (much like my late WW1 veteran grandfather told me on 1970) what was coming in Northern Ireland and, as we say in NI, I "had had enough". Friends and family remain and while some have become accustomed to the "new world" of EU Trade, Travel, Opera Houses and even the performances of international artists (something that rarely happened in my 1970-1989 'youth'), others remain fearful that they are about to become second class citizens dominated by the tyranny of being caught in limbo, on their way to an unwelcome United Ireland.

If Brexit is hard and "backstop-less", there is no reason why the hard border should be an issue, unless the politicians and United Ireland Brigade set the balls rolling again. "The Troubles" covering the 1969-1990s are only the latest version of Irish-British troubles that have gone on for centuries. If you like Ireland (north and south)pray this does not happen and try to understand the reality of Brexit/ Backstop and its importance. I hope press conferences like the one with the Prime Minister of Ireland and the President of EU cease, otherwise Mr. Tusk might create that "Place in Hell" that he quipped about, sooner than he expected. From long, unpleasant and frequent past experience of living through "The Troubles", Eurocrats and their associated media have played a distant dangerous game of bias and misinformation during the hey-day of The Troubles. It seems their successors are continuing this disruptive, cruel behaviour towards the citizens of NI, RI and indeed the UK who suffered much in recent years.

Should you have missed it, here is the ABC link to what is one of the most undiplomatic utterances I have witnessed in recent years. (See link https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-07/special-place-in-hell:-eu-frustration-with/10788218). Anyone who cannot recognize this deliberate spoiler is dreaming (to quote that great line in The Castle movie). It is a prime example of destructive, aggressive, arrogant EU diplomacy, fit for any university 'Politics 101' course, under "political gamesmanship".

I hope the political gamesmanship fails and that both NI and RI continue to respect each other's position and continue to develop their capacity to be welcoming regions for both trade and tourism. Australians love travel, but few are tempted to set foot in NI in particular for fear of old memories of terrorist threats (one of the prime aims of terrorists worldwide). I have successfully urged some brave souls to enter "The Province" (as N Ireland is known locally) and none have been disappointed by its physical beauty, historical significance and the warmth of the people.

So, if you want to do your bit for world peace, try to include Northern Ireland as part of you next (or first) tour of Europe. You will not be disappointed, and do try the local Smithwicks red ale, chased up with a good, well-poured pint of Guinness… the drink that "is good for you" and will take 10-15 minutes to develop before drinking (if poured by a decent bartender).

Forget "Brexit, Backstop and Eurocrats", instead "Be Brave"!!!…. and visit both NI and RI, for the scenery, weather and people on your next (or first) EU holiday or at least as part of your essential bucket list. You won't be disappointed.